Apple on Thursday offered up a peek at its new Paris, France store. Apple Champs-Élysées, located on one of the city’s most famous streets, opens on Sunday. The new location replaces the nearby Apple Carrousel du Louvre location, which closed in October.
Housed in a Haussmann-era apartment building, the inner courtyard has been transformed into Apple’s grandest Forum, dedicated to free Today at Apple sessions.
Apple’s free Today at Apple sessions focus on music, photography, coding, design, and more. In the first week, Apple Champs-Élysées will host sessions with popular musicians, filmmakers, animators and more.
“The energy in Paris is electric and it will be one of our premier cities for Today at Apple,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail. “I hope that everyone who visits Apple Champs-Élysées will be inspired to unlock their creative curiosity and learn something new.”
The new store offers a blend of historic and modern architecture. The facade and entryway have been restored and the Burgundy stone of the exterior has been carried throughout the building. French oak parquet floors line the upper levels. Apple says the aim of the design of the store is to “revive the building’s original spirit by restoring the detailing and interconnected spaces of the quintessential Parisian apartment.”
“Working within a historic Parisian building is a great responsibility and a phenomenal opportunity,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “Our first priority was to honor the history of the building, while thoughtfully updating it to create spaces both grand and intimate. The carefully interweaving layers are warm and light filled, celebrating the timeless spirit of the city.”
As is normal for Apple facilities, the new store is designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible:
Several of the design features also serve an environmental purpose. A sculptural roof light covers the courtyard, providing sunlight to the space below and generating renewable energy with integrated photovoltaic panels. An integrated rainwater collection system provides water for the bathrooms, trees and green walls. Like all of Apple’s facilities, Apple Champs-Élysées is powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
Apple Champs-Élysées will employ over 330 employees, which includes more than 200 new hires, and officially opens its doors on Sunday at 12.00 p.m. Paris time.
